<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
financial statements contained in the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended September 30, 1996 for Markel Corporation and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           709,070
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                     175,690
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 956,417
<CASH>                                          16,252
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                              11,657
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                          35,336
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,388,136
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                766,139
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                            187,410
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                                0
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                 99,678
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        23,970
<OTHER-SE>                                     223,848
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,388,136
<PREMIUMS>                                     225,051
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                             36,500
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               2,956
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   2,522
<BENEFITS>                                     151,471
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     54,862
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            19,730
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 31,815
<INCOME-TAX>                                  (10,554)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             42,369
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    42,369
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     7.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     7.50
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0